The Beatles were one of the most successful rock and roll bands in history. They entered the UK charts for the first time in 1962 when their single “Love Me Do.” While the Beatle’s popularity in the United States took a bit longer to establish by November 1963, the group had scored its first number in America with smash, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Known for their charisma and approachable style, the Beatles helped open doors for future UK artists who wanted to break onto the American scene. Unfortunately, the group was short lived, officially breaking up in 1970. However, the influence of the Beatles remains alive and well today, most Americans remembering the first time the group ever took the stage on February 9, 1964, the day the Beatles made their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York City.

As Ed Sullivan introduced the Beatles, all clad in the same back suits and haircuts (a mix of a bowl cut and thick bangs), a frenzy of women started screaming and cheering. The ecstasy and excitement of the crowd continued as the Beatles played through their “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The group seemed nervous, keeping their beat with a tapping, steady foot and a little bit of dancing. The song did not have any complicated or intricate rhythms. It had a predictable drum line, keeping the beat in a 4/4 times, the guitar melodies not taking may major risks or deviations from the steady, repetitive rhythm. The song did not have any major societal or political messages. It was just a simple song about boy falling in love and expressing it by telling the girl that he just wanted to hold her hand. The audio was clear and simple, the video black and white. None of the group members jumped on stage or took any risks, such as jumping or leaping or doing impromptu acrobatics.

In 1969, the Beatles’ Live in Studio performance of “Let It Be” showed a more grown-up, more sensitive side of the Beatles. The video shows Paul McCartney up-close playing a piano solo. Musically, the performance still had a stable drum beat, similar to the beat from “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Yet, the song was more acoustic, the piano line the main instrumentation throughout the song. An organ and harmonies could be hard in the background, the performance coming at the time of the Vietnam War, many people upset and hopeless over the United States’ involvement in the War, reflected in the lyrics. The lyrics also touched on issues of diversity and equality, a black man playing the keyboard in the video. The United States having just passed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the African man served as symbol of the changing times. During this performance, you could also see the band’s individuality coming out, highlighted by guitar riffs, close-ups shots of the instruments, and different styles of dress and long hair.

In the video of “Hey Jude,” the Beatles returned to more of the theme of its early hits, talking about love and getting the girl. Yet, the lyrics also recognized the pain of love, this emotion absent in the song “I Want to Hold Your hand.” However, more instruments were added to the song this time, including the banjo, as well as more intricate, higher pitched harmonies, the sound denser and fuller, but still clear. Some off beats seemed to be thrown in. A more intimate setting, the crowd also got up on stage with the group. However, that crazy frenzy from turned on women was more subdued, as people just enjoyed the Beatles’ music, smiled and chilled out with the band. This time, you could see the difference between Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Lennon’s hair long and unkempt, while McCartney had gone back to his old shorter style haircut.

The Beatles will go down in history as one of the most popular rock and roll bands of all time, changing the course of history with their music. From “I want to Hold Your Hand” to the more political message of “Let It Be,” the Beatles placed their unique stamp on popular music.